Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals, Side Dishes

Beans and Greens Sauté

Makes 6 servings Prepare this savory sauté in a cast-iron skillet right on a grill alongside other items, or make it ahead of time on the stovetop to serve with bread or other proteins. If you can’t find beet greens, substitute spinach, kale, escarole, collard greens, or turnip greens. Ingredients […]

Main Dishes

Black Bean and Quinoa-Stuffed Zucchini

Makes 4 servings Quinoa is a great base for a stuffing, which you can use in zucchini, like we do here, or other veggies like portobello mushrooms, acorn squash, or bell peppers. Substitute any bean for black beans, or even shredded cooked chicken. Ingredients 4 large zucchinis, halved lengthwise 5 […]

Main Dishes

Black Bean Cakes With Tomato Salsa

Makes 4 servings Plant-forward recipes aren’t always vegetarian, but they may use flavorful meats in a supporting role, just like the chorizo in these black bean cakes. For a full vegetarian version, leave out the chorizo and add 1/2 teaspoon (or more, to taste) of chile powder for a little […]

Allergen Friendly, Main Dishes

Blended Veggie and Turkey Meatloaf

Makes 6 to 8 portions This may have more steps than your typical meatloaf, but it’s worth it! Plus, you can cook the entire vegetable portion of this recipe a few days ahead of time (or weeks–freeze it!). We tried baking the meatloaf in a traditional loaf pan, but we […]

Side Dishes

Caramelized Sweet Potatoes with Pine Nuts and Currants

Makes 4 to 6 servings This is a hearty side dish for simple roasted chicken or a pork loin, or serve it on its own alongside a green salad or some crusty bread. Substitute yellow or red onion for the shallots and raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries for the […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Carpaccio? Pass the Radishes!

Obviously, we love cooking. At the CIA, it’s in our shared DNA to boil, braise, baste, and bake. But when it comes to realizing the full potential of our ingredients, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, raw is sometimes the answer. If you’ve been to a grocery store or farmers’ market […]

Soups and Stews

Cauliflower Almond Soup

Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 2 tablespoons almond oil 2 stalks celery, chopped (about 1 cup) 1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced (about 1½ cups) 1 small head cauliflower separated into florets (about 4 cups) 1 quart low-sodium chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black […]

Main Dishes

Cavatelli with Mushrooms and Ramps

Makes 5 servings For a supremely springtime dish, the mushrooms in this recipe would be chanterelles, but they can be expensive and are typically only available in the spring. A good substitution would be shiitake mushrooms. As for the ramps—wild, leafy, scallion-like vegetables—they are seasonal and you might actually find […]